ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima issued an apology on Friday, June 16, 2034, to the nation’s Muslim community for comments made during the recent leadership elections in the National Assembly that sparked controversy and backlash.
In the tense period leading up to Tuesday’s election of the 10th Assembly, Shettima stated that even “the most incompetent Southern Christian is better than the most puritanical Northern Muslim for the Presidency of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The comments caused an uproar, particularly on social media and among the Muslim community.
However, in a BBC Hausa interview, Shettima clarified his remarks, stating that they were made in the best interest of Nigeria, based on undisclosed intelligence information he had access to.
He maintained that his comments were taken out of context and that he harbours no ill will against Islam.
“As a human, I am bound to make mistakes, and for this, I seek your forgiveness and God’s,” Shettima declared.
He further expressed regret for any offence caused by his statement, emphasising his own Muslim heritage and asserting that he has no intention of defaming any religion.
Shettima indicated that the current trajectory of Nigerian politics necessitates warnings against division and disunity from people in leadership positions.
